Stem Changing Verbs

is the part of the verb that is left AFTER we drop the –ar, -er, -ir Stem is the part of the verb that is left AFTER we drop the –ar, -er, -ir Example: Empezar – Empez

Stem changing verbs have a spelling change in their stems in all forms of the present tense except for nosotros and vosotros The stem-changes in present tense are: e to ie These can be –ar, -er, or –ir verbs o to ue These can be –ar, -er, or –ir verbs e to i (only –ir verbs can do this) u to ue (only jugar does this)

Stem changing verbs are also known as ‘boot’ verbs because the changes happen within ‘the boot’

Remember verbs will use their regular To conjugate a stem changing verb, drop the –ar, -er, -ir. Empezar (e – ie) - empez Replace the original vowel with the new vowels given Empezar (e – ie) - empiez Place in the correct ending according to who is doing the action. (Yo) Empezar (e – ie) - empiezo Remember verbs will use their regular –ar, -er, -ir endings

Examples of –ar, -er, -ir and u-ue, e-ie, and e-i Jugar (u-ue) = to play juego jugamos juegas juega juegan Querer (e-ie) = to want pedir (e-i) = to ask for quiero queremos pido pedimos quieres pides quiere quieren pide piden